New To Group Rides? The "No Drop" Ride Question

This brought me down memory lane! Where you are at today, is not where you are at forever!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hey Brendan!

I'm Ellen, I've been listening to your podcast when I'm keeping up on bike maintenance. I really appreciate the exposure to more advanced level training with your emphasis on 'bike - life' balance. I'm only a few years into cycling, and your podcast has inspired me to clarify what my goals are for this. I'm 46 and I love that you challenge people about age beliefs, and all other limiting beliefs.

I just listened to your podcast about group rides, I have a training/etiquette question. I started doing social rides a year ago to meet people and to learn how to handle my bike with other people around me. Recently I have been challenging myself by going to no-drop rides that average a higher speed than me (most of these guys average 17-17.5 mph, and I can usually get about 16-16.5 mph.) My question is, if I'm the slowest rider and the rest of the group has to wait at a few stop points for me to catch up, is this 'ruining' the ride for everyone else? Is it more appropriate for me to go to drop rides and to return to the 'faster' no-drop rides when I'm closer to the average speed?